King Charles III has long since started treatment against cancer (the type of which is still unknown to the public) and while talking to a veteran of the British army, who also survived cancer, he expressed that now, the king has lost his senses of taste.
This side effect is common for patients undergoing various cancer treatments. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, cancer treatment can also lead to loss of taste. Changes can occur in a slight loss of taste, in alternation of taste and in its total loss. It is unclear which one Charles experienced.
On the other hand, these treatments can also lead to loss of appetite and weight loss.
Causes
Receptors found mainly on the tongue, palate, sides of the mouth and part of the throat help us taste everything, identifying sour, sweet, salty, or even bitter tastes. Any cancer treatment that affects these areas can cause changes in taste.
Radiation treatment
Taste receptors are very sensitive to radiation. People who follow this type of therapy, especially for head or neck cancer, often encounter damage to taste receptors and such changes in this sense. Changes start early, usually during the first 2 weeks of treatment, and are most noticeable around 2 months after starting treatment. The changes depend on each person, but from studies, it has been noticed that first, the taste of salty foods changes and then, gradually, sweet tastes are also noted.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs can damage taste receptors and cause changes, which again, depend on the person with cancer.
Chemotherapy drugs that commonly cause taste changes include:
cyclophosphamide
dacarbazine
doxorubicin
fluorouracil
methotrexate
cisplatin
paclitaxel
vincristine
These changes can be even more noticeable if patients have problems with their teeth, gums and various infections in the mouth.
Surgery
Surgery can cause changes in taste, if different parts that have taste receptors are removed.
What to do when you encounter such a symptom?
Consult your health care team, or a dietitian. They can suggest some concrete steps on how to manage the change in taste. However, here are some general tips:
Try new foods that you don't normally eat
Avoid foods you don't like
Add flavor to food using spices
Take care of oral hygiene
Eat cold foods to reduce strong tastes
Use flavorful sauces
Marinate meat, fish and vegetables to enhance their taste
Choose other protein sources (such as eggs, fish, nuts, beans) if the meat tastes strange
Chew gum
Avoid sour or bitter foods
Add a little honey or sweet taste to foods
As for King Charles III, the news that he has been diagnosed with cancer was made public by the royal palace on February 5. The type of cancer has not been revealed, but according to the palace statement, the king has started treatment and is positive about the treatments and their results.
